New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-24
DEATH RESULTING FROM HYDRopHoBIA.
TIE TERRIBLE sUFfERINGs ENDURED BY MR.
GURSEE, OF HAvERsTRAw-DR. HAMILTON

TIE TERRIBLE sUFFERINGs ENDURED BY MR.
GURNEE, or HAvERsTRAw-DR. HAMILTON
VIEWS.
TRIBUNE reporter yesterd ay at Haverstraw heard
the sad story of the suerngs and death OF Matthew
Gurnee. one of Haverstraw's most esteemed citizens
from attack of hydrophobia, the nature oil the avs
ease being ampl, proved On May % q little black
dog which had been in the family for years DIG M
Gurnee or the left thumb. The wound bled freely,
ana after delay during which the poison was
doubtless absorbed. Mr. Gurnee called on DR.. W. D.
Bayley, who dressed the wound.
Two Gays later after acting uneasily the dog ded IN
Git. d. l}ayey dissccted the dogs body, but could
not discover the OF death and attributed 10
epilepsy caused BY cd age. The fact that the cog
was bitten some time before by strange cur led to
worIiment by Mr. Gurnee and the dogs subsequent
postmortem examination The circumstances were
almost forgotten until ast Monday. As TO the scenes
since then Dr. Bayley tells the following story
on Monday last Mr. Gurnec complained Of pains In his
in coming to me was fatal % the treatment was mani
testify useless the poison having already been absorbed
less intense. but bis appetite was poor Tuesday ngnt
lie was very restless. Thus far only simple rcmedes
given and there indication ot TIE trouble
coming Yesterday morning he tried to drink 'but con1
not swallow because of the spasmodc twitfhngs OF the
muscles Of his throat Nor could he wash because OF hc
effect OF water on all the muscles OF his BODY Alet
strength and as well as usual when Dr. W. D. House
This was al $50 A. M We agreed that 1t case
OF hydrophobia Yesterday he had terrific spasins
during which his eyes would protrudc and his muscles
After terrible rigdity. when for about thlry
his limbs would be Ike iron bars he would sink
back In bed entirely exhausted These attacks would DC
brought by the sight OF water slight current OF ar
and other triiling Incidents
We kept HIM under the influence OF anodynes admin
istered with hypodermic syringe Dr. William 4:
Hammond, OF New York. arrived at o'clock last ngh.
and entirely corToborated our diagnosis We Kept MN
all night under the influence OF drugs. watching every
movement closely. IL apparent from hour 10 hour
that his vitality lessened. Al 10 o'clock this morning
he died very quietly. his dissolution being hardly per:
cep,blo. At no time did he exhibit any symptoms OF
barking frOthng swapping, as such patients some
times do. Our treatment was the administration OF
morphine and aropine hypodermicaly. and also prep
aration Of curaco which very materially assisted IN
duietng the spasms
Tho sensation created in Haverstrqw by Mr.
Gurnees death is profound lie was highly
respected citizen ffty-eight years old, and was
bachelor
DR.. Hammond at his home last evening
by reporter. He ssid that Mr.. Gurrees case was
Of tue few genuine of hydrophobia which he
had met with in bis professional career. The disease
he added, is of such nature "a &c impose on the
minds of nervous persons and most of the reported
cases OF hydrophobia exist nowhere except in the
ina sinations of such people.